“We meditate on the transcendental glory of the deity supreme, who is inside the heart of the Earth, inside the life of the sky and inside the soul of the heaven,” he said. “May he stimulate and illuminate our minds.”

Police officers arrested the three protesters and charged them with disrupting Congress, a misdemeanor, the Associated Press reported. The male protester told an AP reporter, “we are Christians and patriots” before officers handcuffed them and led them away.

Reid, in remarks from the chamber shortly after the prayer, defended his choice, tying it to the intense debate over the Iraq war.

“If people have any misunderstanding about Indians and Hindus, all they have to do is think of Gandhi,” a man “who gave his life for peace,” Reid said.

“I think it speaks well of our country that someone representing the faith of about a billion people comes here and can speak in communication with our heavenly Father regarding peace,” said Reid.